EghtesadOnline: Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei visited the mausoleum of Imam Khomeini to pay tribute to the founder of the Islamic Republic as the 10-day celebrations marking the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution began across Iran.

The Leader made the visit early Saturday, which marks the day Imam Khomeini returned on Feb. 1, 1979, to the Iranian capital Tehran 10 days before the revolution, which ended the monarchy of the US-backed Pahlavi regime in the country, Financial Tribune reported.

After performing prayers in the mausoleum in southern Tehran, Ayatollah Khamenei also visited the nearby Behesht-e Zahra cemetery, where Imam Khomeini delivered his first speech after the exile, in an address to millions of people, Press TV reported.

The Leader also paid tribute to Iranian martyrs who have lost their lives since the Islamic Revolution.

Nationwide ceremonies kicked off at 9:33 a.m. local time, marking the exact time when Imam Khomeini landed in the Iranian capital.

A special public ceremony is also to be held at the Imam Khomeini Mausoleum, with a host of senior state and military officials, as well as thousands of people from all walks of life in attendance.

Imam Khomeini’s return to the country ultimately resulted in the overthrow of the shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi.

Although it was against the wishes of Iran’s rulers at the time, the Imam's return, after a 15-year exile, was made possible due to the sheer outpouring of popular support for the revolutionary leader among the masses.

Iran has ever since commemorated the events with 10-Day Dawn festivities that culminate in nationwide rallies on Feb. 11, marking the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.